Houston Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 38

BWW Reviews: NOISES OFF! - A Side-Splitting Tour de Farce at The Alley
by David Clarke - May 31, 2012

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BWW Reviews: NEXT TO NORMAL - An Electrifyingly Good Time at Stages Repertory Theatre
by David Clarke - May 28, 2012

Overall, Stages Repertory Theatre does a great job with their production of Next to Normal. This is a must see production of a must see show....

BWW Reviews: THE BEAMS ARE CREAKING - A Compelling Character Study
by David Clarke - May 27, 2012

The Beams are Creaking is a dramatic representation of the tumultuous life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man who became a Christian martyr of Nazi resistance because of his unyielding faith. Bonhoeffer is a German pastor who tried to assassinate Hitler, but is ultimately a more complex character than on...

BWW Reviews: MADE IN AMERICA – A Terrific Triptych
by David Clarke - May 25, 2012

The iconic Wortham Theater Center is celebrating its twenty-fifth birthday this month. This building serves as a monument to Houston's long-standing desire to encourage and support the arts, as the $66 million dollars raised to build the center that celebrates performing arts came entirely from 3500...

BWW Reviews: WISHFUL DRINKING - The Best Part is Carrie Herself
by David Clarke - May 16, 2012

Wishful Drinking is a must see show, and the best part about this show is Carrie Fisher herself. She is brutally honest and affecting....

BWW REVIEWS: MEMPHIS is a Masterpiece, National Tour in Houston
by Kara Pohlkamp - October 27, 2011

Since I'm not a fan of gospel or R&B, I settled into my seat at the Hobby Center last night uncertain how the next few hours were going to appeal to me. However, I left the theatre completely blown away with an uplifted spirit. The National Tour of MEMPHIS: A NEW MUSICAL shines with a deeply tale...

BWW Reviews: TUTS’ GUYS AND DOLLS: An Unsure Bet
by Kara Pohlkamp - October 02, 2011

Houston's Theatre Under the Stars' (TUTS) season opens with an uninspiring production of Guys and Dolls plagued by lackluster performances by two of the show's leads. However, gorgeous male harmonies and a brilliant performance by Jennifer Cody as Miss Adelaide elevate the production....

BWW REVIEWS: ROCK OF AGES Brings Down the House at TUTS
by Kara Pohlkamp - June 03, 2011

The 80's rockers had the audience in the palms of their hands during the national tour of Rock of Ages which closes out the Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) season at the Hobby Center. With several audience members dressed in their best rocker garb, the majority seemed to be reliving glory days of th...

BWW Reviews: Ovations for OVO, Cirque du Soleil Returns to Houston
by Kara Pohlkamp - March 10, 2011

The unmatched quality of Cirque du Soleil returns to Houston with OVO. Remarkable circus acts combine with an imaginative world of insects to form an unparalleled abstract elegance. Presented under an intimate, blue and gold big top at the Sam Houston Race Park (a.k.a. the 'Grand Chapiteau'), OVO ...

BWW Reviews: Electric BILLY ELLIOT Illuminates Hobby Center
by Kara Pohlkamp - February 27, 2011

In the second act the protagonist, Billy, describes dancing as "a burning deep inside, something bursting me wide open, impossible to hide…like electricity." What a wonderful way to also describe the masterpiece that is Billy Elliot: Electric....

BWW Reviews: Spanish Refreshes WEST SIDE STORY But Takes Away Nostalgia During National Tour at Hobby Center
by Kara Pohlkamp - January 14, 2011

The Jets and the Sharks have taken their turf war to the stage of Houston's Hobby Center in the US National Tour of the 2009 Broadway Revival version of West Side Story. West Side Story is a remarkable collaboration of two theatre geniuses: Leonard Bernstein who composed the score and Stephen Sondh...

BWW Reviews: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – THE MUSICAL: An Early Christmas Gift for Your Family
by Kara Pohlkamp - November 29, 2010

Your heart will grow three sizes with the spirit of Christmas as the Grinch steals your imagination in this fanciful, musical adaption of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The pages of the beloved children's tale come to life immersing the audience into the world of Whoville and the magic of Dr. Seus...

BWW Reviews: Treat Yourself to a Workday Extension With 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL
by Kara Pohlkamp - November 11, 2010

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL is a quirky tale of revenge secured through feminist strength with a superb, toe-tapping score by Dolly Parton. After seeing 9 to 5 for myself, I do not understand why the show only lasted only a little more than four months on Broadway. Sure, it was never going to be a Broadwa...

BWW Reviews: Spectacular, Magical SHREK
by Kara Pohlkamp - October 21, 2010

The magic of the "Shrek" movies is phenomenally captured in this thrilling theatrical experience which will delight children and adults alike. The brilliance of Shrek the Musical is creative staging with a constant flow of original techniques bring Shrek and his fairy-tale friends to the stage. Ov...

Fun-Filled Production of HAIRSPRAY Opens TUTS Season
by Kara Pohlkamp - October 09, 2010

'You can't stop the beat', the laughs, nor the energy of Theatre Under the Stars' (TUTS) production of Hairspray now playing at the Houston Hobby Center. With one punch line after another, Hairspray is a show about big dreams, big hair and not being afraid to be yourself....

BWW Reviews: Vivino Shines As Elphaba But WICKED Underwhelms
by Kara Pohlkamp - July 03, 2010

I've been waiting years to see Wicked. Numerous times I've just missed the national tour as I moved from city to city and there were some unfortunately timed vacations along the way. For years friends and family have been telling me how much I have to see this show and the Original Cast Recording ...

BWW Reviews: MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL - An Unexpected Comedic Hit at Hobby Center
by Kara Pohlkamp - June 17, 2010

Who knew menopause could be fun? 'Menopause' certainly isn't an obvious topic for a musical, but Menopause The Musical writer/producer Jeanie Linders has stumbled upon a bold and surprising recipe for success: stage an honest, upfront presentation of a socially taboo topic through clever parodie...

BWW Reviews: Monster-Sized Laughs for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at Hobby Center
by Kara Pohlkamp - May 26, 2010

In classic Mel Brooks fashion, the continuous surge of gags and innuendos of Young Frankenstein are sure to keep audiences rolling throughout the musical's two-week run at the Hobby Center. From the first lightning bolt during the overture, to the last growl of the Monster, the production is a capt...

BWW Reviews: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Has Potential, but Disappoints
by Kara Pohlkamp - April 30, 2010

For better or for worse, Little House on the Prairie has joined the ever growing, eclectic club of main stream stories transformed into musicals. Surprisingly, this quaint account of a family struggling to settle the prairie actually has potential and could be successful in the live, musical theatr...

BWW Reviews: Go IN THE HEIGHTS For a Unique Musical Experience & Journey of Spirit
by Kara Pohlkamp - April 07, 2010

In the Heights, now playing at the Hobby Center, is an energetic portrayal of the residents of a New York City barrio whose dreams are seemingly bigger than their means. Once they learn to put their trust in each other, they find the ability to achieve their goals and that much of what they desire ...

BWW Reviews: An Enchanting, Must-See Production of SOUTH PACIFIC
by Kara Pohlkamp - March 11, 2010

If you love Broadway musicals you must see the national tour of South Pacific currently running at the Hobby Center. Even if you have seen South Pacific before, or if you happen to not be a Rogers and Hammerstein fan, you need to see this show. The performances delivered by Rod Gilfry, as the Fren...

BWW Reviews: CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION is Impressive and Family-Friendly
by Kara Pohlkamp - February 25, 2010

Cirque Dreams Illumination is an impressive collection of Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatic routines, street entertainment and illusions that will boggle the minds of audiences of all ages. With reasonably priced tickets starting from $24, the show is also a fantastic opportunity for families to exp...

BWW Reviews: MISS SAIGON Heat is On at TUTS
by Kara Pohlkamp - February 13, 2010

From the first sound of a helicopter flying as the sun rises over Saigon during the Overture, to the show's abrupt, powerful ending, the Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) production of MISS SAIGON will take you on an emotional rollercoaster about unwavering faith in love and self sacrifice - just be su...

BWW Reviews: Journey to WONDERLAND With the World Premiere Musical at Alley Theatre
by Kara Pohlkamp - January 25, 2010

During its world premiere now at the Alley Theatre, the musical WONDERLAND invites you to take a break from the bustle of life and travel with Alice down the rabbit hole to rediscover your inner child....

BWW Reviews: Simplicity, Raw Emotion Allow A CHORUS LINE to Shine at Hobby Center
by Kara Pohlkamp - January 11, 2010

A Chorus Line is not the impressive spectacle offered by most nationally touring musicals. It has no special effects and no impressive costumes. The minimalistic set consists of a series of mirrors, a black stool and the infamous line on which hopeful dancers await their fate. But it's simplicity...